Unitary apparatus for projecting light rays



Jan. 5 1926.

O. H. PIEPER El' AL UNITRY APPARATUS FOR PROJECTING LIGHT RAYS Filed August 13, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet v1,

INVENTORS SCrHR'e er Jan. 5 1926.

` 1,568,086 o. H. PIE-PER E-r AL UNITARY APPARATUS FOR PROJECTING LIGHT RAYS Filed August 13, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. s 1926. 1,568,086

O. H. PIEPER ETI AL UNITARY APPARATUS FOR PROJECTING LIGHT RAYS `Filed Angus?l 13, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Mdr/1 TToRNEY Ptented Jan. 5, 1926.

UNITED STATE-s PATENT;

l osoan n. Prnrnn am) nLrHonsn F. Pnnrnmor nocnns'rnn, NEW YORK.

Application filed August 18, 1921. Seriall No-.v491,903'.

To a-ZZ whom/imag concern:

Be it `known that we, ,OSCAR H. B11312111: and ALrHoNsE F. PIEPER, .of Rochester, :in

the county of vMonroe `and State Iof New York, haveI invented certain new kand useful Improvements in Uni-tary Apparatus for `Projecting Light Rays;4 and We do 'hereby declare thetollowin'g to ibeza full, clear, and exact description yof the same, reference being had to the` accompanying drawings, forming a kpart lof this specification, and to the yreference numerals marked thereon.

This invention lhasto do With apparatus for projecting light rays and relates more particularly tok unitary apparatus l for adjustably supporting and operating a source oiilght, suchas an X-rayftube, .to illuminate objects for examination. y `The present invention is in the. nature of an improvement upon the invention set iorth in our-co-pendingapplication for Patent Serial N o. 410,468, tiled Sept. 15, 1920, for unitary .light projecting apparatus, having for one of its objects to provide a more convenient and substantial construction for adjustably mounting the light source on its supporting standard, including yalso various Vadvantageous features alfording greater protection from injuryfor the light source. Another object is to provide a safer and more convenient construction or supporting the light source and its electrical connections, increasing the degree of insulation of the electrical conductors as Well as the accessibility oi' related parts. To these and other ends the invention consists in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all

theapparatusshown in Figure 3 als viewed 750 from the rFigure ansa topplan view of a portion of thelapparatusfs owny in Figure 3.

j fF" 1re-.6'isanfenlarged-sectional view onI therlline 6,'1--6a of Figure 4.

`Figure 17 v.is .a sectional view Jon theline IQ-Teef Figure 6.

yFigure r8ris-an enlarged elevation in ilongitudinal central-'Sections of the light source andssupporting parts.

igure ,9 is .a .section on the line 9,--9Bn ot-ligure.

Figure .10 is .an velevational view of the parts supporting the light source asseen fromfthe line 10,-10a or' Figureand: re- 65 duced in scale.

Figure 11 isan enlarged sectional,.eleva tion :of "one of thepivotal joints in `V:the `supporting standard. f. f

`Figure 12 is a reducedsectional view A011 7o theline 12a-12a of Figure 11.

Figures'13and14 are perspective views. of detached parts shown in Figures 11 vand 12.

Similar reference numeralsk throughout the several viewsindicate the v'same parts.

The presentv embodiment of they invention com-prisespreferably a vportable container or cabinetr20, Figure 1, on which is carried a standard, indicated generally at 421, support- 4ing `a ysource of light which, inlthe presents() instance, is an X-.ray tube of the so-called Coolidge type. IThe .means foi-.controlling the electrical energy iorthe light source is contained `in cabinet 20, including, for eX- ample, .the ytransformer indicated yat 22 and 85 rheostats, meters, andthe like, (.notshown). The main column yof the standard is preferably telescopically supported for vertical adjustment intoand outof the container by any suitable means such, for example, as shown and described yin our coepending application. .The standard comprises aplurality ot' movably connected parts for adjustably supporting the light source, shaped and arranged so that the container or cabinet 95 may be conveniently located at one side of the lobje'ctvtobe illuminated with the standardl ovenhanging the latter :and fadjustably supporting the light source from above adj acent the object. For example, the cabinet may be placed behind or at one side of a dental chair, accessible to, but out of the way of the operator, and the light source flexibly supported for quick adjustment tol any desired posit-ion about the head of a patient in the chair. The light source or X-ray tube is energized and controlled by devices enclosed in the container, and the energyA supplied to a light source of this character being of the high tension variety, suitable; provision is made for connection between the,y light source and the controlling devices in' the container by effectively insulated means.

To these ends there is pivotally supported on the-standard column in any suit-able manner at 23 a laterally directed horizontally 5 adjustable hollow arm 24 receiving a teleseopically extensible portion 25 on Awhich is pivotally supported at 26, by means hereinafter described, a downwardly extending arm 27. The latter is horizontally adjustable on its pivot and has pivotally connected therewith at 28 adjacent its lower end by means hereafter described, an auxiliary arm 29. On the latter is supported for pivotal movement, about an axis substantially perpendicular to the pivotal axis at 28, a forked arm 30 having branches 31 extending downwardly in spaced relation. The lower ends of the branching arms 3l carry trunnions 32 on which is pivotally supported at its ends, above the centers of the latter, a loop shaped frame 33 provided on the inner opposed sides of its top and bottom with V-shaped tracks or guideways 34. A crosshead has its top and bottom formed for engagement with the guideways 34 and slides on the latter endwise of frame 33. The crosshead is preferably constructed of any suitable insulating material, such for example, as phenol condensation product, rubber, or the like, and preferably has formed integrally therewith means for supporting engagement with the X-ray tube. The latter is in the present instance, of the type having an outer tubular protective shield 39 with a substantially spherical enlarged portion 38 intermediate its ends. In conjunction with a light source of this character crosshead 35 preferably has formed integrally therewith a collar 36 encircling the tube in engagement with the enlarged portion of the latter. An opposing collar 4l encircles the tube on the other side of its spherical enlargement, t-he collars being adjustably bolted together as hereafter described and clamping the tube between them. To aord firmer engagement with the tube and prevent injury of the latter the collars are faced interiorly with a cushioning insert or washer 37 of any suitable material such as cork. The inner tube is indicated at 40. It is to be noted that the described means of supporting the tube leaves a long uninterrupted surface between the support and the radiator end 59 of the tube to which the high voltage conductor is connected, thereby tending to prevent surface leakage. At the same time the two collars afford well separated and ample gripping surfaces for securely holding the tube without injury.

Collar 41 has a cylindrical extension 41 in the end of which is telescopica-Hy received the cylindrical end of a nozzleor adapter 42, in the present instance of the cone shaped variety commonly employed. For detachably securingl the adapter on collar 4l the adapter end is formed with an annular re- .jcess 43 with which engages the end 44 of a spring clip 45 bent-.to project through an Iopening 46 in the collar extension. The 'adapter is thus supported entirely on the collar free of the tube and can be readily detached for the substitution of different types.

The means Yfor attaching the collars together in clamping engagement with the tube comprises preferably a plurality of rods or bolts 47 threadedly engaging in openings in lugs or bosses provided on the collars. By this means the latter may be adjusted into firm clamping engagement with the tube for securely supporting the latter.

As shown in Figure 5 frame 33 is formed from end to end in the shape of a circular arc drawn about a center arranged to coincide substantially with the object to be illuminated and the light source may be adjusted by moving the crosshead 35 to different positions lengthwise of the frame for illuminating the object from different angles and for the production of photographs with stereoscopic effects. For securing the tube in different positions of adjustment in the frame the upper side of collar 36 is faced with a plate 4S in which and in the collar are formed spaced recesses 49. Engaging with these recesses is a longitudinally movable plunger 50 supported adjacent the center of the upper side of frame 33. To adjust the position of the tube in the frame plunger 50 is raised out of engagement with a recess of collar 36 and the tube swung to another position in which the plunger is reengaged with one of the recesses in the collar and holds the lat-ter and the tube in adjusted position.

An advantageous feature of the present invention comprises means for protecting the cathode filament of the tube and its electrical connections. The tube of the type described has a laterally extending branch 51, Figure 8, providing an opening 5la in which is located and supported the cathode indicated generally at 52 and through which the conductor 53 extends from the filament over supports 54 on the standard to the source of electrical energy in the cabinet. The filament parts and connections are of llO LMQSG.

course delicate in character andleasily injuredror destroyed by they impact of an in-v advertent blow or collision. For the purpose of adequately protecting these parts there is providedk a cap or hood for the opening .5124.015 anysuitable material and in the present instance aluminum, having its rim .resting on the feriphery of the end of tube branch v51. 'lid secure the protective cap in place there is provided on each side ofthe tube branch a metal strap having one end' looped about the adjacent bolt 47 connecting the tube collars and having its other end Slotted andembracing ascrew 57 carried by the cap. i By thisnieans the cap may be, securely fastened in place by attachment to the tube supporting means and the tube branch iseffectively protected against an inadvertentblow which might otherwise injure or. destroy it. The cap has adjacent its rim an outlet opening 58 through which the conductor l5.3 is passed as shown in Fi ure 3.v

s apparent from the drawings the embracing arran rement ofthe collars and their connectinor bo ts about the enlarged portion of the tulbe, the disposition of these parts within frame 83, and the supporting of the tube adapter 42 and cathode cap 55 on the collars affords a considerable degree of protection lfor the tubeA .against inadvertent blows and collisions with other objects.

The end of the tube opposite the object to be illuminated carries a radiator 59 and to this end of the tube is connected the high tension conductor 60, as well understood in the art. The conductor is supported on insulating struts 61 carried by the standard and passes into the upper end of a hollow insulating post 62 supported on the top of thecabinet, The lower end of the post preferably extends some distance through the top, of the cabinet so that the bore of the post communicates with the cabinet interior. Adjacent its upper end the post bore is preferably enlarged, as indicated at63, Figure 2, to form Va housing for reeling means for maintaining the high tension conductor taut invall positions of adjustment of the light source and its standard. Within the post housing 63 isy an angular bracket 64,

l"preferably of conductive metal, the lower end of Which is fixed tothe post in any suit able manner 65. Rotatably supported 'on the bracket as at 66 is a drum or reel 67 preferably also of conductive metal to which is fixed and on which is wound the high tension conductor 60. A; spring of any known or suitable variety (not shown) on the reel tends to wind up the conductor to maintain ductor 60 4 extends,

ing in place.

Through this opening is inserted a reduced and threaded portion 70 of a member71 which engages an opening in an angular end otbracket 64 thereby detachably securing portion 69 of the houswithin theftube and at the same time alords.

convenient access to the latter whenever required.

The location of the pivotal connection between standard arms 31 and frame 33 above thecenter of the latter tends tothrow the tube away from the standard when it is turned on its pivot-al connection to direct the light rays in a downwarddirection and thus tends to maintain the maximum air gap between the high tension endand the. standard. Shoulders 31a on one arm 31 and a stop 330L on the frame, Figure 3, limit the safe range oi movement of the frame.

Member 71 has a central apere As explained in our said o o-pending application, the pivots 26 about which arm 27 and the light source may be swung is adapted to be positioned substantially above the center of an object to be illuminated for convenience in adjusting the light source radially to different positions about the same and an advantageous construction is provided for this pivotal connection, as shown in Figures 11 to 14 inclusive. The extensible port-ion 25 of the horizontal arm of the standard terminates in spaced cheek bearing plates, 73, Figure 11, in which the pivot spindle 26 is supported.' The end of arm 27 is pivotally mounted on the spindle between plate 7 3 and the upper side of the arm is recessed to form a flange 74 concentric with t-he spindle.' Slidably supported on the inner surface of flange 7 3 is a ring 75 of resilient metal theends of which are spaced and beveled as indicated at 76, Figure 13. Fitted into the space between the ends of the ring is a wedge shaped member 77 having a recess 78 adapted to receive the lower end of a manually adjustable screw 79 carried by the upper plate 73. This construction provides a simple and convenientineans for rictionally restrain?k ing movement o'f the radialv arm 27 so that it is retained in any position of adjustment but may. at the same time be easily adjusted or swung as desired by a comparatively light pressure. By turningscrewf79-in' one direction it may be enteredto advance wedge 7'? between the ends of ring 75 and thereby expand the latter' to produce greater trictional contact with flange 74 of arm 27. The latter may thus be securely locked against movement if desired.

The pivotal connection between arms 27 and 2) referred to above comprises spaced cheek bearing plates 8O on the lower end of arm 2T between which a corresponding plate on arm 29 is pivotally supported by spindle 28. The bearing plate of arm 29 has in its edge a plurality of spaced recesscs or sockets 82 arranged to be engaged by the lower end of a plunger 83 carried by arm 27 and spring pressed toward the recesses. Plunger 83 may be lifted out of engagement with one recess and arm 29 swung about its pivot to another position in which plunger 83 is permitted to engage with the adjacent recess for holding the arm in adjusted position. Arm 29 is provided with a stud 84 extending generally downward in a direction at right angles to the axis of the pivot 28 and the upper end of arm 30 is rotatably supported on stud 84C. A spring pressed plunger 85 on arm 30 has its end 86 disposed for select-ive engagement with a plurality of spaced recesses (not shown) in arm 29 so that when plunger 85 is moved downwardly out of engagement with arm 29 arm 80 may be pivotally adjusted to the desired position on stud 84 after which plunger 85 is released for engagement with the adjacent recess in arm 29 for holding the arm 30 and the light source in the desired position. Means are preferably provided for limiting this pivotal movement of arm 3() comprising a stop screw 8T projecting from arm 29 into an arcuate recess or slot 88 in the arm 30. Arm :l of course carries the downwardly branching spaced arms 3l between which the frame 33 is pivotally supported as previously described. It is apparent from the above description that the standard is so constructed of movably connected parts that the supporting means for the light source is universally adjustable to practically any operating position adjacent the object to be illuminated.

The invention thus provides, in conjunction with an advantageous standard construction, practical and effective means for supporting the X-ray tube on the standard by which the tube is firmly gripped and supported by ample bearing surfaces. The tube supporting means is not only itself so disposed as to aord considerable protection for the tube but furthermore carries the tube nozzle or adapter so that the latter is clear of the tube and p-rotects the latter, and also supports a protective cap for the tube cathode. After the standard parts are adjusted the construction provides vfor convenient movement of the tube to different radial positions about the object for illuminating the latter from different angles. The tube supports are for the purpose of insulation well spaced from the end of the tube to which the high tension connection is made and are so connected with the standard arms as to maintain the high tension connection spaced from the standard during adjustments. The high tension conductor is maintained taut between, its points of support by reeling means protectively housed and accessibly arranged on post 62.

We claim as our invention:v

l. In a unitary light projecting apparatus, the combination of a container, a standard for supporting a source of electric light for adjustment to different positions about an object to be illuminated, devices in the container forcontrolling the power supplied to the light source, a relatively high hollow post on the contanier having its bore communicating with the container interior, a spring actuated reel housed within the ybore of said post, an extensible conductor wound on the reel and extended through the outer end of thc post into connection with the light source, and a conductor extending through the inner end of the post bore and connecting the controlling devices in the container with the conductor wound on said reel.

Q. In a unitary X-ray apparatus, the combination of a cabinet, an X-ray tube, means supporting said tube for adjustment to different operating positions, electrical control devices for said tube in the cabinet, a relatively high hollow post on the cabinet having its bore in communication with the interior of the latter and enlarged at its outer end to 'form a housing, a. spring actuated reel in said housing, a conductor wound on the reel and extended through the outer end of the post bore into connection with the tube, and a conductor extended through the inner end of the post bore and connecting the control devices in the cabinet with the conductor on said reel.

3. In a. unitary light projecting apparatus, the combination of a container, a standard for supporting a source of electric light for adjustment to different positions about an object to be illuminated, an upwardly projecting strut on said standard for supporting a high tension conductor, devices in the container for controlling the power supplied to the light source, a relatively high hollow post on the container having its bore communicating with the container interior, a. spring actuated reel housed within the bore of said post, an extensible conductor wound on the reel and extended through the outer end of the post over said strut into connection with the light source, and a conductor extending through the inner end of the post bore and connecting the controlling devices in the container with the conductor Wound on said reel.

4. Ina unitary light projecting apparatus, the combination of a container, an adjustable standard carriedl thereby for supporting a source of. electric light for adjustment to ldiiierent positions about lan object to' be illuminated, devices in the container for controlling the power supplied to the light source, a hollow post on the container of insulating material having its bore communicating at its inner end with the container interior and enlarged adjacent its outer end to form a housing, said housing comprising a detachable section aii'ording access to the interior thereof, a spring actuated reel supported in said housing, an extensible conductor connected with and wound on the reel and extended through an opening in said detachable section into connection with the light source, and a conductor extending through the inner end of the post bore and connecting the controlling devices in the container with said reel.

5. In a unitary light projecting apparatus, the combination of a container, an adjustable standard carried thereby for supporting a source of electric light for adjustment to different position about an object to be illuminated, devices in the container for controlling the power supplied to the light source, a hollow post onthe container of insulating material having its bore communicating at its inner end with the container interior and enlarged at its outer end to form a housing, said housing comprising a detachable section affording access to the interior thereof and forming the upper end of the post, a bracket of conducting material fixed to the post in the housing, an apertured member having a reduced portion inserted through an opening in said detachable section and secured to the bracket to hold the section in place, a spring actuated reel of conducting material rotatably mounted on the bracket. a conductor connected with and wound on the reel and extending through the aperture in said member into connection with said light source, and means electrically connecting said controlling devices and bracket.

6. A unitary light projecting apparatus comprising a standard, a frame carried by the standard and provided with spaced guideways, a body containing a light source` opposed parts adjustably connected with each other in clamping engagement with said body, and a crosshead supporting said parts and adjustably slidable on the guideways of said frame for adjusting said body to different operating positions.

.7. A unitary light projecting apparatus comprising a standard. a frame adjustablv carried by the standard and provided with kbody to different operating positions.

8. A unitary light projecting apparatus comprising a standard, a frame adjustably carried by the standard, a body containing a source of light, opposed parts adjustably connected with each other in clamping engagement with said body, means adjustably supporting said parts and body for pivotal Y movement to different positions on the frame, and a locking pin longitudinally slidable on the frame for engagement with recesses in said supporting means for securing said body in different kpositions of adjustment.

9. A unitary light projecting apparatus comprising a standard, a frame adjustably carried by the standard, a body containing a source of light, opposed parts adjustably connected with each other in clamping engagement with said body. means adjustably supporting said parts and body for pivotal movement to different positions on the trame.k securing means for holding said body inadjusted position, and an adapter for said body detachably carried by one of said clamping parts. f f

10. A unitary light projecting apparatus comprising a support, an X-ray tube housing having an opening provided with connect-ions for the tube filament, tube holding means engaging said housing and adjustably carried on the support, and a protective cap for said housing opening having a connecvtion with said holding means for detachably securing the cap in place.

l1. A unitary light projecting apparatus comprising a standard, an -X-ray tube housing having an enlarged portion and an opening provided with connections for the tube filament, collars adjustably carried by the standard and engaging the opposite sides of said enlarged housing portion, bolts connecting said collars for Vclamping the latter on the housing, a protective cap for said housing opening. and clips adjustably and detachablv securing said cap to said bolts intermediate said collars.

12. In a unitary light projecting apparatus. a standard having downwardly extending branching arms. an X-ray tube, spaced collars in clamping engagement with said tube, a crosshead supporting said collars. a loop-shaped frame embracing said tube and slidably supporting said crosshead` and a pivotal connection between the arms of the standard and opposite sides of said frame disposed ecoentrieally of the latterV for spacing the tube from the standard duringpivotal movement of said frame.

13. In a unitary light projecting appz.-

v ratus, a standard having an adjustable arm portion, a light source, a frame, means supporting the light source for movement to different positions on the frame, a pivotal connection betweensaid standard arm portion and frame arranged eeoentrioally of the l0 OSCAR H. PIEPER. ALPHONSE F. PIEPER. 

